Sam Fender has handed over the entirety of his £25,000 honor cash to the MVT, which operates to protect the Britain's grassroots music venues.
Fender was awarded the award on mid-October as his new release People Watching was chosen as the top album of the previous year.
Fender has decided to donate the funds to the trust, in acknowledgment of the vital role small stages had in his initial steps.
"I wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if it hadn't been for all the shows I performed around the region, and beyond, when I was starting out," stated Sam Fender. "These venues are renowned, but they are struggling."
From early 2023 onward, more than 150 of these locations have shut down – roughly 16% of the total UK scene.
In the last year, major artists such as the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all backed the trust in its efforts to support the industry, by applying a modest fee to their ticket costs, which goes to help smaller concert halls.
Fender also took part, generating over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to help thirty-eight small stages across the UK.
The donation assisted spaces that were confronting possible closure due to issues caused by floods, fire incidents and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, court cases and neighbor objections.
Some locations were granted monetary aid in upgrading amenities and technical equipment that positively impacted artists and fans.
"The idea that money from shows in large arenas supports the independent spots, where it begins for artists like me, is just sensible," Fender has stated.
The musician is among several artists to donate his Mercury Prize funds to worthy causes.
When they won the prize in 1996 for their record Different Class, vocalist Jarvis Cocker announced that the group would contribute their prize money to the non-profit War Child.
During 2002, rapper and singer the artist split her award among several charities, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"Additionally, I contributed a thousand pounds to the center, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they required better apparatus," the artist explained to a publication.
Two years ago, they donated their funds to the community center that nurtured their group, in addition to other local music groups.
Also the 1994 recipients M People gave their prize to a charity for MS after a close contact was diagnosed the condition.
"Winning was quite enough," stated vocalist Heather Small. "The cash was the cherry on top but we didn't require the extra, because we had the cake. So our victory impacted the lives of others."
In the past week, the MVT revealed it had protected two small stages in the South East, by placing them under public stewardship.
One venue in the city and The Croft in the city were purchased under the community ownership initiative, which is funded by a national body and enthusiasts who purchase "stakes" in the buildings.
